Archives for News

The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan insists the military can boost Afghan security forces to fight the Taliban, begin a troop drawdown this summer and fulfill President Barack Obama‘s goal of a long-term partnership with the Kabul government. Facing a skeptical Congress and a war-weary public, Army Gen. David Petraeus is trying to build support for the continued and costly U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, telling lawmakers the conflict is turning around despite concerns about the viability of President Hamid Karzai’s government and the dedication of neighboring Pakistan to root out terrorism. The general testifies before the House Armed Services CommitteeRead More

The House Tuesday passed a measure blending $6 billion in budget cuts with enough money to keep the government running for an additional three weeks. The measure would buy additional time for talks between Capitol Hill Republicans and the Obama administration on a bill to fund the day-to-day operations of the government through the end of September. Those negotiations haven’t gotten very far yet and House GOP leaders haven’t shown much flexibility. The measure passed by a 271-158 vote despite opposition from some tea party-backed conservatives who said it “kicks the can down the road” instead of imposing steep andRead More

CAIRO (Reuters) – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton toured Tahrir Square in central Cairo on Wednesday, visiting the heart of the revolt that toppled Hosni Mubarak from power in Egypt after 30 years and shook the Middle East. Read the full story.Read More

SALT LAKE CITY (Reuters) – Utah’s governor on Tuesday signed a package of immigration laws including one that would allow a police crackdown on illegal immigrants similar to Arizona’s attempt last year. Read the full story.Read More

MIAMI (Reuters) – Voters in Miami-Dade, one of the most populous U.S. counties, removed Mayor Carlos Alvarez from office in a special vote on Tuesday triggered by popular anger over a hike in property taxes. Read the full story.Read More

PHOENIX (Reuters) – An Arizona lawmaker who was detained by police last month after an alleged altercation with his girlfriend was removed as the state senate majority leader on Tuesday. Read the full story.Read More

CAIRO (Reuters) – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday voiced support for Egypt’s transition to democracy but made few specific pledges of aid and steered clear of a debate over the pace of forthcoming elections. Read the full story.Read More

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Calls by President Barack Obama’s administration to meet with all sides to discuss making gun laws more effective are politically motivated, the National Rifle Association’s top executive said on Tuesday. Read the full story.Read More

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Congressional leaders and the White House voiced support on Tuesday for striking a deal on funding for the government through September 30, setting up talks in earnest on how much public spending to cut. Read the full story.Read More

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama would veto a Republican-backed bill killing his signature mortgage foreclosure prevention program if Congress passes it, his administration said on Tuesday. Read the full story.Read More